There\u2019s plenty to think about when considering a PhD or professional doctorate\u2014what program, what field, what to research and how\u2014but the ultimate question might be: What does it mean for your career?<\/p>\n
Garvey House<\/a>, PhD, associate director of research and residencies for Capella University\u2019s School of Business and Technology, and Freda Hartman<\/a>, PhD, faculty chair for Capella\u2019s Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) programs, provide some insights for careers in business that also apply to many different industries.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cEmployers are looking for excellent problem-solving skills,\u201d says House. \u201cThe problems in business and industry today are extremely complex and require a higher level of thinking\u2014the kind of thinking and solving that\u2019s taught only at the doctoral level. A premium will be paid to people who can solve the most difficult problems.\u201d<\/p>\n Problem-solving skills are developed throughout the doctoral program, from coursework through the dissertation or doctoral capstone. Employers, especially those who have worked with doctoral graduates before, know that they are likely to find much more advanced problem-solving skills in those who have completed a doctoral program.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cYou can apply skills acquired in a doctoral degree program in a wide variety of careers,\u201d says House. \u201cYou\u2019ve learned various types of research methods. You\u2019ve developed skills in data analysis, and you\u2019re armed with the knowledge, tools, and resources to apply to a broad range of situations. Some very universal capabilities are developed.\u201d<\/p>\n For instance, someone with a PhD in IT can leverage it to find careers across several industries, all of which want the same thing: someone with advanced problem-solving and complex thinking skills. With a PhD in IT, someone could:<\/p>\n A professional doctorate, like the DBA, can also aid in landing promotions or even changing careers altogether. \u201cWe see students come into the DBA program without business backgrounds who use this education to move into business careers,\u201d Hartman says. \u201cThe DBA gives them the foundation of the practical side of business, and they can use that to build a new career.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n It used to be that the PhD would most often lead to a college faculty or research position. But today, many other sectors are seeking doctoral degree holders as well. \u201cLots of industries hire PhDs now because of the advanced skills they offer,\u201d House notes. \u201cLarge companies, public companies, the government\u2014they\u2019re all looking for PhDs today. If higher ed isn\u2019t your interest, look at work that involves data analysis. There are many organizations outside of academia looking for those skills.\u201d<\/p>\n The same is true of a professional doctorate, such as a DBA, says Hartman. \u201cIt\u2019s possible to go into academia and teach with a DBA,\u201d she says, \u201cbut the focus of a DBA is on hands-on business operations, how businesses succeed, best business practices. It\u2019s less theoretical and more about the applied side of business.\u201d<\/p>\n <\/p>\n What every industry and every company needs are people with good communication and writing skills. Doctoral programs, through the dissertation or doctoral capstone, develop those skills, even in candidates who initially had good communication abilities. \u201cThe writing levels improve so much through the final project,\u201d says House.<\/p>\n A second part of communication involves learning to communicate with teams and how to take feedback. Doctoral students quickly realize that they will get feedback\u2014lots of it\u2014on their projects. Learning not to take it personally and analyzing it for how best to improve the project are skills that are highly valued in the workplace.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cA doctoral degree really increases credibility in the workplace,\u201d House says. \u201cThe more skilled and more credentialed you are, the more desirable you are to employers.\u201d<\/p>\n And that credibility can possibly lead to an improved salary. \u201cYour income may change, maybe even significantly, depending on where you\u2019re located,\u201d House says.<\/p>\n That\u2019s true for both PhDs and professional doctorates. \u201cThe DBA is a great enhancement for people who are at, or aspire to, the executive level,\u201d says Hartman. \u201cIt\u2019s also a way for people in middle management to start moving upwards into advanced leadership positions.\u201d<\/p>\n House also notes that the PhD is a degree that\u2019s known globally. \u201cIt opens up international opportunities. Keep in mind that most of the Fortune 500s are global now.\u201d<\/p>\n As long as you can think critically, solve problems, and communicate, your doctoral degree can take you much farther than you might think.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Capella University offers PhD and professional doctorate degree programs ranging from business to education and health to technology. Learn more about Capella\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0<\/em>doctoral degree programs<\/em><\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\nNeeded: Problem-Solvers<\/h4>\n
Doctoral Degrees Cross Industries<\/h4>\n
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Academic and Non-Academic<\/h4>\n
The Ability to Communicate<\/h4>\n
Credibility, Pay, and Opportunity<\/h4>\n